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The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce is attempting to inject some calm and reason in the dispute between the Boone Town Council and Watauga County Commission, a fight that now means millions of dollars to both sides. The two are feuding over Boone’s Affordable Housing Standards recently enacted,
new rules that county leaders see as carried out to stop Phil Templeton’s $19 million bid on the old Watauga High property. In retribution for the town’s action, the county board voted to change sales tax distribution, costing Boone $2 million a year, starting in July. Stepping into the dispute, a letter from the chamber asks for the two boards to put aside the rhetoric and sit down to work out a solution. The letter, signed by Susan Jones of the Business Development committee, Chairman Daniel Minton, and chamber exec Dr. Dan Meyer, says, in part, “Conflicts typically end in a win/lose outcome, but we cannot afford that result!” The letter goes on to say, “Our local business economy is struggling to recover from a severe recession. These additional concerns over the current back-and-forth attacks is demoralizing. This rhetoric has turned from “principle” to “political” to “personal’ – this cannot continue without irreparable damage being done.” The letter says the chamber is not looking for a specific course of action but to focus “on what is good for all.” The entire letter is posted below.